---
title: "Effect of vitamin K supplementation on arterial stiffness in…"
description: "Vitamin K supplementation in kidney transplant recipients improved vitamin K status and prevented arterial stiffness progression, but did not change…"
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36695702.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36695702.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36695702.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d36695702"
journal: "Am J Transplant"
year: 2023
pmid: "36695702"
doi: "10.1016/j.ajt.2022.12.015"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Effect of vitamin K supplementation on arterial stiffness in vitamin K-deficient kidney transplant recipients

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Am J Transplant |
| Year | 2023 |
| PMID | [36695702](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36695702/) |
| DOI | [10.1016/j.ajt.2022.12.015](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajt.2022.12.015) |
| Study key | d36695702 |

## Takeaway

Vitamin K supplementation in kidney transplant recipients improved vitamin K status and prevented arterial stiffness progression, but did not change calcification propensity.

## The question

Does vitamin K supplementation affect serum calcification propensity and arterial stiffness in vitamin K-deficient kidney transplant recipients?

## Hypothesis

Vitamin K deficiency likely contributes to progressive vascular calcification and stiffness in kidney transplant recipients, suggesting that supplementation might improve these outcomes.

## Methods

This was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 40 vitamin K-deficient kidney transplant recipients. Participants were randomized 1:1 to receive either vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7, 360 μg/day) or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was serum calcification propensity (T50), and secondary endpoints included arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]) and vitamin K status (dp-ucMGP).

## Results

Vitamin K supplementation did not significantly affect calcification propensity (change in T50 vs baseline +2.3 ± 27.4 minutes for vitamin K vs +0.8 ± 34.4 minutes for placebo; P= .88). However, it prevented the progression of PWV (change vs baseline -0.06 ± 0.26 m/s for vitamin K vs +0.27 ± 0.43 m/s for placebo; P= .010). Vitamin K status significantly improved with supplementation (change in dp-ucMGP vs baseline -385 pmol/L for vitamin K vs +39 pmol/L for placebo; P< .001), though most patients remained vitamin K-deficient.

## Conclusion

Vitamin K supplementation did not alter serum calcification propensity but prevented the progression of arterial stiffness in vitamin K-deficient kidney transplant recipients. This suggests that vitamin K may have vascular effects independent of calciprotein particles.

## Limitations

The study was a single-center trial and, despite improved vitamin K status, most patients remained vitamin K-deficient, indicating that the dose or duration might not have been sufficient to fully correct the deficiency or impact calcification propensity. The abstract also suggests the need for longer-term intervention studies.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> vitamin K supplementation prevented progression of arterial stiffness compared with placebo

## Change in Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) from Baseline

| Measure | Change in PWV (m/s) |
| --- | --- |
| Vitamin K Group | -0.06 |
| Placebo Group | 0.27 |

*Vitamin K supplementation resulted in a decrease in pulse wave velocity, while the placebo group experienced an increase.*

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vitamin K2 (MK-7) | Moderate evidence | [Vitamin K2 (MK-7)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/138.md) |

## Reference

1. **Effect of vitamin K supplementation on arterial stiffness in vitamin K-deficient kidney transplant recipients**
   Am J Transplant 2023 · [PMID 36695702](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36695702/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.ajt.2022.12.015](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajt.2022.12.015)

   > vitamin K supplementation prevented progression of arterial stiffness compared with placebo

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Vitamin K2 (MK-7)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/138.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: matrix Gla-protein carboxylation](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s138.md)
- [The effect of menaquinone-7 supplementation on vascular calcification in patients with…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d31387121.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).